Invention

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In music, an invention is a short composition with two or three part counterpoint. See Invention (music)

In general terms, an invention is an object, process or technique which displays an element of novelty. An invention may sometimes be based on earlier breakthroughs, collaborations or ideas, and the process of invention requires at least the awareness that an existing concept or method can be modified or transformed into a new invention. However, some inventions also represent a "quantum leap" in science or technology which extends the boundaries of human knowledge. Legal protection can sometimes be granted to an invention by way of a patent.

1 The process of invention
2 Ideas as a starting point
3 Commercialization
4 Innovation
5 See also
6 External links

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The process of invention

Over time, humanity has invented objects and methods for accomplishing tasks which fulfill some purpose in a new or different manner, usually with the objective of realising that purpose in a faster, more efficient, easier or cheaper way.

Although it is evident that people do invent, the circumstances which facilitate or optimise the development of inventions is less clear. One school of thought, popularized in the phrase "necessity is the mother of invention", argues that in essence, lack of resources leads to invention, while the opposing school of thought argues that it is only an excess of resources which has this result. However, the actual position may not be understood simply by reference to one or the other of these many perspectives.

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Ideas as a starting point

Although a new or useful object or method may be developed to fulfill a specific purpose, the original idea may never be fully realised as a working invention, perhaps because the concept is in some way unrealistic or impractical.

A "castle in the air" or a "pie in the sky" (or "castles in Spain") may refer to a creative idea which does not reach fruition due to practical considerations. The history of invention is full of such castles, as inventions are not necessarily invented in the order that is most useful. For example, the design of the parachute was worked out before the invention of powered flight. Other inventions simply solve problems for which there is no economic incentive to provide a solution.

On the other hand, any barriers to implementation may simply be an issue of engineering or technology which can be overcome in time with scientific advances. History is also replete with examples of ideas which have taken some time to reach physical reality, as demonstrated by various ideas originally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci which are now expressed in everyday physical form.

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Commercialization

Inventors may be inspired to invent through a desire to create something new or better, simple altruism, or for competitive or commercial reasons. An invention may also result from a combination of these motivating factors. Although many inventors may have in mind the commercialization of their product, very few will secure the funding and support often needed to develop and launch a product in the marketplace, and fewer still will experience lasting commercial success or the economic reward they may have expected. However, inventor associations and clubs and business incubators can be used to provide the mentoring, commercial skills and economic resources which private inventors may often lack. Entrepreneurship and an awareness of the demands of a changing marketplace are typical characteristics of successful inventors.

Most great inventors developed countless prototypes, changing their designs innumerable times. Today much emphasis is placed on research and development, prototyping and finding solutions.

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Innovation

Following the terminology of political economist Joseph Schumpeter, an invention differs from an innovation. While an invention is merely theoretical (even though the legal protection of a patent may have been sought), an innovation is an invention that has been put into practice. However, these conflicts with the theory of social anthropologists and other social sciences researchers. In social sciences, an innovation is anything new to a culture. The innovation does not need to have been adopted. The theory for adoption (or non-adoption) of an innovation is called diffusion of innovations. This theory, first put forth by Everett Rogers, considers the likelihood that an innovation will ever be adopted and the taxonomy of persons likely to adopt it or spur its adoption. Gabriel Tarde also dealt with the adoption of innovations in his Laws of Imitation.

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